Bradenton Beach officials said fencing and concrete work at Salt Bar & Table restaurant began without permits, prompting the city to require after-the-fact applications.
The restaurant, 2519 Gulf Drive N., is owned by 2519 Gulf LLC, which the Manatee County Property Appraiser’s website lists as being owned by developer Shawn Kaleta.
The work was identified during a city review of activity at the property and permit applications were submitted only after officials intervened.
Code enforcement officer Evan Harbus went by the property March 30 after being contacted about concerns and began looking into the situation. He then coordinated with interim building official Rob Perry to conduct a joint visit March 31.
Harbus said April 1 that he did not immediately act, explaining that he needed to verify what was occurring before taking enforcement steps.
“I have to follow through more with this … and I have to really look into it before I approach,” he said.
Harbus said his ability to act was limited to what can be observed from public areas, often referred to as “plain-view doctrine.”
During that joint inspection, officials said they identified fence and concrete work requiring permits that had not been issued.
A check with the building department March 31 found no permits had been issued for the fence and concrete work.
As of April 1, permit applications were in place and remained under review.
Officials also said a previously submitted permit application related to a carport was withdrawn by the applicant.
Perry said enforcement options for work begun before permitting are limited, typically involving double permit fees.
The Islander reached out to Kaleta by text April 1, but there was no response as of press time.
